A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers : to which are prefixed a history of the language, and an English grammar (Volume 1).

Johnson, Samuel, 1709-1784.

Date:: 1819

Credit: A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers : to which are prefixed a history of the language, and an English grammar (Volume 1). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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$AGN Though this controversy be revived, and hotly agitated among the moderns; yet I doubt, whether it be not, in a great part, a nominal dispute. Uoylc on Colours. .>. To contrive; to revolve; to form by la- borious thought. Formalities of extraordinary zeal and piety are iiever more studied and elaborate, than when politi- cians most agitate desperate designs. King Charles. Agita'tion, aj-e-ta'shun. n. s. [from agi- tate; agitatio, Lat ] 1. The act of moving or shaking any thing. Putrefaction asketh rest; for the subtle motion, which putrefaction requireth, is disturbed by any agitation. Bacon. 2. The state of being moved or agitated; as, the waters, after a storm, are some time in a violent agitation.' 3. Discussion; controversial examination. A kind of a school question is started in this fable, upon reason and instinct: this deliberative proceed- ing of the crow was rather a logical agitation of the matter. VEstrange's Fables. 4. Violent motion of the mind; perturba- tion; disturbance of the thoughts. A great perturbation in nature! to receive at once the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of watching. In this slumbry agitation, besides her walking, and other actual performances, what have you heard her say? Shaksp. Macbeth. His mother could no longer bear the agitations of so many passions, as thronged upon her. Tatler, No. 55 jj. Deliberation; contrivance; the state of being consulted upon. The project now in agitation, for repealing of the test act, and yet leaving the name of an establish- ment to the present national church, is inconsistent. SioifCs Miscellanies. Agita'tor, aj-e ta'tur. m n. s. [from agi- tate.'] He, that agitates any thing; he, who manages affairs; in which sense seems to be used, the agitators of the army. A'glet, %'let. n. s. [Some derive it from euyXti, splendour; but it is apparently to be deduced from aigulette, Fr. a tag to a point; and that, from aigu, sharp.] 1. A tag of a point, curved into some rep- resentation of an animal, generally of a man. He thereupon gave for the garter a chain, worth 2001. and his gown addressed with aglets, esteemed worth 251. Hayward. Why* give him gold enough, and many him to a puppet, or an aglet baby, or an old trot, and ne'er a tooth in her head. Shaksp. Taming of the Shreio. 2. The pendants, at the ends of the chieves of flowers, as in tulips. A'gminal, ag'me-nal. adj. [from agmen, Lat.] Belonging to a troop. Diet. Vgnail, ag'nale. adj. [from ange, grieved, and nagle, a nail.] A disease of the nails; a whitlow; an inflammation round the naiis. Agna'tion, ag-na'shun. n. s. [from agna- tus, Lat.] Descent from the same father, in a direct male line; distinct from cog- itation, or consanguinity; which include descendants from females. Agni'tion, ag-nish'un. n. s. [from agnitio, Lat.] Acknowledgment. To Agni'ze, ag-nize'. v. a. [from agnosco, Lat.] To acknowledge; to own; to avow. This word is now obsolete. AGO I do agnize A natural and prompt alacrity, I find in hardness. Shaksp. Othello. Agnomina'tion, ag-nom-me-na'shun. n. s. [agnominatio,La.t.] Allusion of one word to another, by resemblance of sound. The British continueth yet in Wales, and some villages of Cornwall, intermingled with provincial Latin; being very significative, copious, and plea- santly running upon agnominations, although harsh in aspirations. Camden. AGJVUH CASTUS, ag'nus-cas'tus. n. s. [Lat.] The name of the tree, commonly called the Chaste Tree, from an imagi- nary virtue of preserving chastity. Of laurel some, of woodbine many more, And wreathes of agnus castus others bore. Dryden. Ago' a-go'. adv. [ajan, Sax. past or gone; whence writers formerly used, and in some provinces the people still use, agone tor ago.] Past; as, long ago; that is, long time has passed since. Reckon- ing time toward the present, we use, since; as, it is a year si?ice it happened: reckoning from the present, we use ago; as, it happened a year ago. This is not, perhaps, always observed. The great supply Are wreck'd three nights ago on Godwin sands. Shaksp. This, both by others and myself I know: For I have serv'd their sovereign, long ago; Oft have been caught, within the winding train. Dryden1 s Fables. I shall set down an account of a discourse I chanced to have with one of them some time ago. dddison. Ago'g a-gog'. adv. [a word of uncertain etymology. The French have the term a gogo, in low language; as, Us vivent a gogo, they live to their wish: from this phrase, our word may be (perhaps) de- rived.] 1. In a state of desire; in a state of warm imagination; heated, with the notion of some enjoyment; longing; strongly ex- cited. As for the sense and reason of it, that has little or nothing to do here: only let it sound full and round, and chime right to the humour, which is at present agog; just as a big, long, rattling name is said to command even adoration from a Spaniard: and no doubt, with this powerful, senseless engine, the rabble-driver shall be able to carry all before him. Souths Sermons. 2. It is used, with the verbs to be, or to set; as, he is agog, or you may set him agog. The gawdy gossip, when she's set agog, In jewels drest, and at each ear a bob, Goes flaunting out; and, in her trim of pride, Thinks, all she says or does is justify'd. Dryden. This maggot has no sooner set him agog, but he gets him a ship; freights her, builds castles in the air, and conceits both the Indies in his coffers. VEstrange. 3. It has the particles on, or for before the object of desire. On which, the saints are all agog; And all this, for a bear and dog. Hudibr. cant. ii. Gypsies generally straggle into these parts, and set the heads of our servant-maids so agog for hus- bands, that we do not expect to have any business done as it should be, whilst they are in the country. Mdison^s Spectator. Ago'ing, a-go'ing.410participial adj. [from a and going.] In action; into action. Their first movement, and impressed motions, demanded the impulse of an almighty hand, to set them first agoing. Taller AGO Ago'ne, a-gon'. adv. [ajan, Sax.] Ago; past. See Ago. Is he such a princely one, As you spake him long agone? Ben Jonson. A'gonism, a.g'6-nizm.5*3 n. s. \_ecyavtT/n»i) Gr.] Contention for a prize. Diet. A'gonist, ag'6-nist. n. s. [*y«»«Vw, Gr.l A contender lor prizes. Diet. Agoni/stes, ag-6-nis'tez. n. s. [«y«»iVi»«, Gr.] A prize-fighter; one, that contends at any publick solemnity for a prize. Milton has so styled his tragedy; be- cause Samson was called out, to divert the Philistines with feats of strength. Agonis'tioal, ag-6-nls'te-kal. adj. [from agonistes.] Relating to prize-fighting. Diet. To A'gonize, ag'6-nize. v. n. [from ago- nizo, low Latin: xyctti^u, Gr. agoniser, Fr.] To feel agonies; to be in excessive pain. Dost thou behold my poor distracted heart, Thus rent with agonizing love and rage; And ask me, what it means? Art thou not false? Rowers Jane Short. Or touch, if tremblingly alive all o'er, To smart and agonize at every pore? Popt. Agonothe'tick, ag-o-no-theYtik.508 m adj. [jtXav and tiS-^i Gr.] Proposing publick contentions for prizes; giving prizes; presiding at publick games. Diet. A'GONY, ag'o-ne.848 n. s. [xyhy, Gr. agon, low Lat. agonie, Fr.] 1. The pangs of death; properly, the last contest between life und death. Never was there more pity, in saving any, than in ending me; because therein my agony shall end. Sidney. Thou, who for me didst feel such pain, Whose precious blood the cross did stain, Let not those agonies be vain. Roscommon. 2. Any violent or excessive pain of body or mind. Betwixt them both, they have done me to dy, Through wounds, and strokes, and stubborn handel- ing; That death were better, than such agony, As grief and fury unto me did bring. Fah-y Queen. Thee I have miss'd, and thought it long, depriv'd Thy presence; agony of love! till now Not felt, nor shall be twice. Milton's Par. Lost. 3. It is particularly used, in devotions for our Redeemer's conflict in the garden. To propose our desires, which cannot take such effect as we specify, shall (notwithstanding) other- wise procure us his heavenly grace; even as this very prayer of Christ obtained angels to be sent him, as comforters in his agony. Hooker. Ago'od, a-gud.' adv. [a and good.' In earnest; not fictitiously. Not in use. At that time I made her weep agood, For I did play a lamentable part. Shakspeart. Agou'ty, a-g66'te. n. s. An animal of the Antilles; of the bigness of a rabbet, with bright red hair, and a little tail without hair. He has but two teeth in each jaw; holds his meat in his fore-paws; like a squirrel; and has a very remarkable cry: when he is angry, his hair stands on end; and he strikes the earth with his hind-feet; and, when chased; he flies to a hollow tree, whence he is expelled by smoke. Trevoux.$